Broselow tapes in the nursery?????

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I was recently asked to research using broselow tapes in the newborn nursery. We are a level one nursery....all sick babies are shipped.

We use NNR guidelines at birth and responders for that would have no need for the broselow tapes.

The concern that the VP raised was if a baby codes later on the responders would probably be ER doctors who are not as strong in NNR and are more familiar with PALS and ACLS. She feels they may want the broselow tapes "for consistency".

What is everyone else doing?

Thanks

Lori p

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I have never heard of Broselow tapes. I am very interested to hear others weigh in here!

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Specializes in NICU.

I've never heard of them, either.

However, upon attending a newborn code in the ER, I noticed that they have this printed board that they lay in the bed next to the kid. It measures the child's length and from there gives suggested dosages for meds and then lists step-by-step instructions for resuscitation.

Is this what the OP is talking about?

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I've never heard of them, either.

However, upon attending a newborn code in the ER, I noticed that they have this printed board that they lay in the bed next to the kid. It measures the child's length and from there gives suggested dosages for meds and then lists step-by-step instructions for resuscitation.

Is this what the OP is talking about?

Essentially, that is what a Broselow tape is...the Broeslow is just folded up so it can fit in a drawer or a pocket or something like that. I LOVE my Broselow...it has drug dosages, tube sizes, normal vital signs...don't remember what else. They are wonderful, especially since we don't do a lot of peds.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

The Broselow Pediatric Emergency tape is utilized in many areas. These tapes are color coded and begin at 3 kg. The newborn area is a grey color with weights 3-5 kg.

On one side is listed the equipment and the other side, drugs and dosages. The tape is laminated against fluid damage as well. Folds and easy to retrieve.

Expensive, too.

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Yes, that is it!

I read somewhere else that they are frowned on my JACCO and they are not very accurate....that was my concern for getting them up on OB when we had never used them in the past.

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Apparently the concern is that there are multiple concentrations (not just dosages) listed for a given drug depending on the kid's length.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/501053

Plus, we all know that a neonate who measures 'X' length may weigh 'Y' or he may weigh twice that much.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

At our hospital we have emergency drug sheets that print out for each pt, calculated on their height and weight and BSA. It is supposed to be changed if a pt is in the hospital a while and/or has a significant change in weight. I guess it would probably be hard to do that for emergency room situations or codes/unstable kids right at birth, though.

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Specializes in NICU.

The issue we had during that ER resuscitation of a newborn was that NRP is quite different than PALS, and that is what their tape seems to have been based upon. The ER doc was running the code, and I was the nurse giving the drugs. I gave things like atropine, which we don't give during neonatal codes, but I guess they do it in pediatrics. I'd review what is printed on this tape and see if it correllates with NRP or not.

If they insist on using a tape and the Broselow isn't up to par...maybe you could have a committee make a new one? Maybe a laminated measuring tape for length, and then once that is obtained, maybe the baby could be put in either A, B, or C category depending on if they're SGA, AGA, or LGA? That way it might be more accurate than length alone. Then have a laminated board that shows the proper NRP procedures to go along with it.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.
At our hospital we have emergency drug sheets that print out for each pt, calculated on their height and weight and BSA.

That's cool-

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

hmmm ok then...wow.

I learned something new today.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
That's cool-

yes it is... very nice to have that security... i have never had to use one to give any meds thus far though, knock on wood...

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